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Bee Intelligencer Informing the towns of Middlebury, Southbury, Woodbury, Naugatuck, Oxford and Watertown AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Volume X, No. 11
King hires attorney, Finn resigns By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Library Board of Trustees Chairman Joan King, who was warned by Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John not to enter the Middlebury Public Library except to attend board meetings, has hired an attorney to represent her, and Trustee Michelle Paquet Finn has resigned from the board. Eric Brown, attorney for King, distributed a press release in which King said allegations made against her by the Town of Middlebury are untrue and that her recent ban from library premises is unnecessary. Brown quotes King as saying, “I have been a dedicated volunteer on the board of trustees for more than 30 years. I have always been devoted to the well-being of the library and its patrons. The charges against me are mean-spirited allegations, and they have no basis in fact.” In a February letter served on King by a state marshal, St. John told King he prohibits her, until further notice, “from entering the Middlebury Public Library, except to attend meetings of the Library Board.” He further prohibited her from making any contact, direct or otherwise, with Library Director Jo-Ann LoRusso or any library staff. He specified there was to be no contact of any kind – letter, email, phone, direct or any other type of contact. He warned her that refusal to abide by the directive would be considered a trespass on town property and/or harassment and would be dealt with accordingly. St. John said earlier he did this in response to a letter to him from LoRusso alleging King has been harassing LoRusso and interfering with day-to-day operations at the library. LoRusso also said King was hostile and verbally abusive towards her. Brown’s press release states St. John issued his directive after King called into question LoRusso’s actions after LoRusso allegedly bypassed the board in making budgetary and other policy decisions. “They have effectively impeached Joan from an elected position without any authority to do so,” Brown said. “Joan does not want to engage in a legal fight with the town because she believes it would be costly to the town and likely embarrass a lot of town leaders including the current library director. She just wants to put this behind her as an unfortunate affair. But if the town refuses to relent, Joan may have to go to court.” He further quoted King as saying, “We have always worked together with the library director for the good of our patrons. Suddenly this director has decided that she doesn’t want to take direction, and the First Selectman is supporting her. We have a differing view of the charter, but I am comfortable with my interpretation. After all, it has been right for the last 30-plus years.”
Town Attorney Robert Smith said Wednesday he has spoken with Brown. He said he told Brown an investigation into the harassment complaint against King is being conducted by the town’s human resources department and that he would talk to Brown after that investigation is complete. “I was hoping it would be completed this week,” Smith said, “but it is not.” He said interviews are being conducted to determine whether or not the harassment allegations are true. In a telephone interview Wednesday, Brown said he thinks everybody wants the matter to be resolved, particularly after King has served so many years on the library board. “I’m optimistic. I’ve dealt with Bob Smith before and I think he is a reasonable fellow. I don’t think people want to have a fight over the library board,” he said. He said he doesn’t believe there is any substance to LoRusso’s harassment complaint. “We think it is more a matter of who is in charge over there. We think they need to work together, and that isn’t happening right now,” he said. Brown said denying King the right to enter the library without due process may be a violation of her civil rights, but he hasn’t looked at it from that perspective yet. He said he looks at it as removing an elected official from public office without due process. “There is a statutory method for doing that,” he said. “If it went to court, it would be on the grounds of illegal removal from public office.” But he said he doesn’t think King wants that and that she hired him because she believes he can negotiate a settlement instead of going to court. He said of those elected to serve on the library board, “I don’t think people get themselves elected so they can get entangled in political battles. I think they get elected because they love books and literature and talking to people about books.” Meanwhile, Finn submitted her letter of resignation to the town clerk Tuesday, March 11. In the letter, Finn referred to her seven years of service and then said “In light of recent events, I feel that the climate is such that I am no longer able to fulfill my responsibilities as a member of the governing board of the Middlebury Public Library.” Her resignation was effective immediately. In a memorandum to St. John, Town Clerk Edith Salisbury said the town charter calls for the Board of Selectmen to appoint someone of the same party (Finn is a Republican) within 90 days to fill the position until the next biennial election. Finn’s term was Dec. 2, 2013, to Dec. 2, 2019, but the appointed person’s term will be until Nov. 3, 2015, the date of the next biennial election. The person elected in 2015 will then serve the balance of the term, so will serve until 2019.
Inside this Issue Nuggets for Life.............. 6 Obituaries....................... 5 Puzzles........................... 7 Region 15 School Calendar....3 Senior Center Events....... 3 Sports Quiz..................... 6 Varsity Sports Calendar.... 6
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tuesDAY
March 18
Upcoming Events
Adoptable Pets................ 8 Book Review................... 2 Classifieds....................... 7 Community Calendar....... 2 Fire Log........................... 2 In Brief............................ 4 Library Happenings.......... 2
Friday, March 14, 2014
Rose Hope has lots of cats, kittens By MARJORIE NEEDHAM Rose Hope Animal Refuge benefits greatly from its partnership with PetSmart in Waterbury. Over the past year, adoptions at the store have increased 60 percent, but the cats and kittens keep arriving, and the rescue group needs more volunteers to foster them and more people to adopt them. Cats available for adoption are housed in the cages in the PetSmart adoption center, and dogs are brought in for Rose Hope’s regular adoption hours at PetSmart. Volunteers are there Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m., and Sundays from 12 to 3 p.m. Animals also can be seen by appointment if you call 203-5254449. Fundraising is important for any rescue that makes sure all its adoptive animals are vetted, properly vaccinated and spayed or neutered, and Rose Hope is no exception. Two upcoming fundraisers are a bake sale and an annual vendor sale. The group’s quarterly bake sale, which is held in the vestibule of LaBonne’s Market at 639 Straits Turnpike in Watertown, will be Saturday, March 22, starting at 9 a.m. and going until 5 p.m. unless the baked goods sell out before then. The second fundraiser will be its second annual vendor fair, Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Waterville Fire House at 1551 Thomaston Ave. in Waterbury. Vendors will include Tastefully Simple, Avon, Mary Kay, Origami Owl, Madison Handbags, Custom Designs by Trace, Premier Designs, Candlelights, Scentsy, Pampered Chef and Kelly’s Crystals. The event also will have raffle prizes and a mini bake sale. Those who would like to donate items can bring paper towels, large green garbage bags and kitten food or treats. The refuge takes in both dogs and cats, but the cats far outnumber the dogs at the moment. With kitten season fast approaching, homes and foster homes both need to be found. Kitten season starts in early spring and lasts until fall, and rescues usually are inundated with pregnant cats and kittens during this time. Rose Hope volunteer Caroline Abate said this year the flow of kittens and pregnant cats has remained fairly constant. Volunteer
Above: Caroline Abate of Rose Hope Animal Refuge has her hands full getting Prince to pose for the camera. The active two-year old reaches through the bars of his cage at PetSmart, hoping someone will adopt him and take him home. At left: Dusty, a long-haired cat with two different color eyes, is looking for his forever home. He can be seen at PetSmart during Rose Hope Animal Refuge hours or by appointment. (Marjorie Needham photos)
– See Rose Hope on page 7
Coyotes attack small dog Middlebury Acting Police Chief Richard Wildman said the police department has been getting calls about a pack of coyotes seen in the Joy Road area down to Regan Road and just south of Whittemore Road in Middlebury. Last week, a small dog was attacked while loose in the Whittemore Road area. Wildman said the coyotes seem to be coming closer to houses because the deep snow cover has made it more difficult for them to find food. He recommends the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) online bulletin, “Living with Coyotes in Connecticut,” which is at ct.gov/deep. Click on Hunting and then Wildlife Main Page. Wildman advised residents who see coyotes acting abnormally or behaving boldly around people to call the Middlebury Police immediately. The DEEP site says a coyote’s diet is predominantly mice, woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, deer, some fruits, carrion and, when available, garbage. Some coyotes also will prey on small livestock and poultry, and reports of coyotes killing small pets have increased in recent years. In Connecticut, unsupervised pets, particularly outdoor cats and small dogs (less than 25 lbs.) can be vulnerable to coyote attacks. Unfortunately,
many pet owners are unaware of the presence of coyotes and the threat they pose, only to learn the hard way after their pet is seriously injured or killed by a coyote. As coyotes have become more common and occasionally prey on small pets, public concerns about coyotes attacking people, especially children, have increased. Although some coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people, the risk of a coyote attacking a person is extremely low. The risk increases if people feed coyotes. DEEP tips for preventing conflicts with coyotes are: • DO NOT allow pets to run free! Keep cats indoors, particularly at night, and small dogs on a leash or under close supervision at all times. The installation of a kennel or coyote-proof fencing is a long-term solution for protecting pets. A variety of livestock fencing and small animal pen designs can protect farm animals. • NEVER feed coyotes! DO NOT place food out for any mammals. Clean up bird seed below feeders, pet foods, and fallen fruit. Secure garbage and compost in animalproof containers. • Always walk dogs on a leash. If approached by a coyote while walking your dog, keep the dog under control and calmly leave the area. DO NOT run or turn your back.
Coyotes are territorial and many reports of bold coyotes visiting yards, howling, or threatening larger dogs can be attributed to this territorial behavior. • Attempt to frighten away coyotes by making loud noises (e.g., shouting, air horn) and acting aggressively (e.g., waving your arms, throwing sticks, spraying with a hose). • Be aware of any coyote behaving abnormally or exhibiting unusually bold behavior (e.g., approaching people for food, attacking leashed pets that are with their owners, stalking children, chasing joggers or bikers, etc.) and report these incidents to authorities immediately. • Be aware of and report any coyotes exhibiting behavior indicative of rabies, such as staggering, seizures, and extreme lethargy. Daytime activity is not uncommon and does not necessarily indicate rabies. • Teach children to recognize coyotes and to go inside the house (do not run) or climb up on a swing or deck and yell if they are approached. • Close off crawl spaces under porches and sheds that coyotes or other animals may use. • Educate your neighbors. Ask them to follow these same steps.
U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors Free Concert What: When: Where: Info:
Diverse repertoire including big-band swing, bebop, Latin, contemporary jazz and more. 7 p.m. Nonnewaug High School Auditorium in Woodbury. Pick up free tickets at Woodbury businesses, Woodbury Public Library, Woodbury Lions or see woodburyctlions.org.
Last-second shot ends Panthers’ season
thursDAY
Page 6
March 20 Westover Fundraising Concert
friDAY
March 28
What: When: Where: Cost:
Glee club, chamber choir, acapella groups, instrumental groups, and hand bell choirs 7:30 p.m. Louise B. Dillingham Performing Arts Center, Westover School in Middlebury Adults $15, Seniors and students $5. Westover students, children younger than 12 free. Reservations at 203-577-4535.
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